Control means for roll feeds



Jan. 25, 1944. l c y, 51', ows 2,339,962

conmofl MEANS FOR ROLL FEEDS Filed Sept. 27, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. .25, 1944. c :..v. ST. LOUIS 2,339,962

' CONTROL MEANS FOR ROLL FEEDS Filed se tQa'l, 1941 v 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan, 25, 1944. c. v. 51 LOUIS CON'IROL MEANS FOR ROLL FEEDS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 2'7, 1941 W, 0 W W, a G "J W "w a 5 1% O 3 z W8. 9 W m m. W 0. Z 0 M a a; w w MW 0 a W 2 w w. W wmov lllll. J a; w w M@ w w 24am ,w/ v\\\\ 9 Jan. 25, 1944.

C. V. ST. LOUIS CONTROL MEANS FOR ROLL FEEDS Filed Sept. 27', 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 s xmn y l ll|l I Patented Jan. 25, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE.

conrnonmns FORTBDLE/FEEDSQ;

Charles 'St; Louis, Chicago, a ssignor to Bemaminn. :Tetzlamimve'rside', ill-s ,Applioatiomseiptember 27, 1941; sensitive; neg-ate 1e 14. claims, (Cl.i164-89)- This invention relates generally tonew and useful improvements 1 in control means: for roll feeds for punch presses, andthe like; adaptedfor controlling the accurate-feeding of stock, as-for example, coiled stock mounted on reels, whereby 1 the forward feeding'movement-of thestock by the rollfeed is 'arrestedand-fedresponsively to the operation of the novel feed control-means at predetermined intervals during the uninterrupted operation of the press, and during the constant rotation-of the -feed'rolls.-

Among the objectsof my invention is the provision, in a press-driven roll ieedhavin'gaconstantly rotating feed rolls, of an automatically operable adjustablerelease mechanism including :4

an adjustable cam-plunger; operatively '-assooiated with the ram-of the press, adapted ior arresting and releasingthe-feeding movements of the stock at predetermined intervals during the uninterrupted operation of the press;

Another object of my invention resides in the provision of a novel release mechanismior roll feeds it having upper and lower feed rolls =Which are constantly rotated by thepress duringits operation, andwherein the upper feed -roll-is mounted on-a pair oi spring-pressed vertically movable end bearings andboth of which bearings are adapted to be simultaneously intermittently lowered by the novel-release mechanismtotherm by lower the upper roll, without. interrupting its constant rotation; to -thus instantly release the forwardieeding movement 'of. the stock: during either the downward or upward movement of the press ram, and including means for raising the upper feed roll out of'irictional contact with the stockto arrestthe forward feeding A movement of the stock.

With the above and other objects in view, my invention consists the novel combination; construction" and arrangement of'the parts and members shown in preferred embodiment in the attached drawings, described in the -iolloWing specification and particularly pointed outin the appended claims.

In the-drawings:-

Fig; 1 is an elevationloi a part oi punch press showing an-end view of a roll feed v and: release mechanism embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the roll feed;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on line 3--3 oi Fig; 2;

Fig. 4 is'a vertical seotion taken on line l- -fl of Fig. 1 2 showing the feed release mechanism: in feeding position; Y

F1855 is a vertieal section taken on line5 -5 oitFig'z z'p Fig.- =6 is a verticalbroken' section takenonli'ne 6- -6 of*'Fig;-E2 showing the feed-rolls inoperative stock-feedingposition,:and"

Figwr'? is a part--vertical section showing the supports 'for "the rolls shownin the left-hand portion of the illustration in- Fig. 6, but "showing the left-hand cam shaft rotatedinto roll-lifting position;

FigrB ls -an -enlargedvertical-section of the adsustable-i'eed release plunger adapted to operate on" the downward stroke of the press ram;

Figs; 9 and 10 are 'cro'ss sections' taken'onre- Figs. 11 to 17, inclusive, are diagrammatic illustrations showing the progressive operating positiona -and movements of the feed release plunger-for controlling the arrested position and releasedrmovement-of the *stock'during'the downward -'and-i:upward-"movement -of' the release plunger-z The adjustable plunger illustrated in Figs. 8 to' 17-, inclusive, -1is adapted--to release the movementof the stock: bythe rolls of the feed at selected points of thedownwardstroke of" the press and for adjustablyvariable periods oftime before the press performsits operation upon the stock. Fig 118' is an enlargedverticalsection of the "adjustable feedsrelease" plunger-adapted to operate on the upward stroke 'ofthe pressram;

Figs: 19 and 20 are cross-sections taken on respectively linesle 49 and-20-20 of Fig. l8;'and

rotary *powerbyvmeansof the chaindrive 14' to tan interchangeable sprocket l 5 removably mountedonwthe' feed drive-shaft! 6i A tightenerfor thedrive chain' 14- is provided which consists of an arm I l' pivotally mounted on the tightenershait l 8-. i

Therch'aiir tightener shaft 8 is adjustablysupportednearone-end thereof in a split bearing is provided with a tightening screw for securing the shaft in proper stationary adjusted position.

The lower end of the chain tightener arm I], as shown in Fig. 1, is adapted to be adjustably clamped to the free end of the shaft 18 and at such lower end carries a rotatable sprocket 2! for the drive chain [4 which passes through an open portion in the arm I1 and thence under the sprocket 22 which is rotatably mounted on the outer or free end of the arm ll. i j

The feed drive shaft I6 is rotatably mounted in a pair of bearings 23 formed integrally with the base 24 of the feed.

insure against any free longitudinal movement of the stock when the upper feed roll 34 is raised to arrest the feeding of the stock before or during the operation of press upon the stock.

Laterally adjustable guiding means, for the stock passing through the feed, is provided in the two metal blocks 53 which are slidably adjustably mounted on the bar 46. These guide blocks 53 are adapted to be adjusted at both sides of thestock and screws 54 are provided for securing said blocks to the bar 46 in desired adjusted guiding positions.

Under the removable housing cap 25 which is secured to the base 24, as by screws 26, is a bevel shaft l6 and operatively in meslr'vrith a bevel gear 28 secured to the shaft extension 29 of the lower feed roll 30.

Mounted adjacently to the bevel gear '28: and T20 {to extend outwardly of one end of the feed for connection thereto of the oscillatable arms 51 rigidly secured to the lower feed roll shaft extension 29, is a spur gear 3| which is arranged to be in constantmesh with the spur gear 32 rigidly connected to one end of the shaft extension 33 of the upper feed roll 34. r

The opposite end of the lower feed roll 36 is supported on the shaft extension 29 and the similar end of the upper feed roll 34 is supported on the shaft extension 33 I I The shaft extensions of the lower feed roll 36 are rotatably mountedinthe cast base 24, but the shaft extensions 33and 33 of the upper feed roll are mounted in vertically movable bearings 35 having central upstanding integral studs 36 disposed within the lower. ends of the coil springs 31. o

The two coil springs 31 are mounted within the inverted cups 38 of the'feed cap casting 39. These springs 31 exert pressureson top of the bearings 35 to normally retain the upper feed roll in operative or stock-feeding position.

The pressure of the springs 31 upon the upper feed roll is adjustable through the screws which are threaded into the top of the cup portions 38 and the lowerv ends of these screws 40 abut with washers 4lwhich. are positioned on the upper ends of the springs 31.

Lubrication of. the upper feedroll shaft exten sions 33 and 33 and ,the bearings 35 is supplied from the cups 42 which dischargethe lubricant through central passages in the screws 40, the lower ends of which. are provided with tubular extensions 43 extended downwardly into the lubricant-retaining cups 44 which are mounted upon the studs 36 and discharge the lubricant through suitable pa'ssages'in the studs 36 to lubricate the shaft extensions 33 and 33 and bearings 35 of the upper feed roll 34.

The cap casting 39 is secured to the base 24 by screws 45. V 4

A resilient brake and guide forthe stock which is to be passed through the feed is provided, asshown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 5, and consists of a vertically adjustable platform 46 in the form of a flat bar having depending pins 41 adjustably secured to the base 24v by screws 48. The stock, indicated by the letter S, which is to be fed from a reel is passed over the bar platform 46 under a brake plate '52 mounted above the bar 46 and having screws 49 with heads disposedbeneath the lower face of the bar 46 andwing type tightening nuts 50 exerting pressure upon the upper ends of the coil springs 5|, the lower ends of which springs press the brake plate 5 2 against the 'material or stock to fed 'to, the press to As shown in Figs. 3, 5, 6 and 7, the upper feed roll bearings 35 are supported within vertical slots of the base 24 and rest on the recessed portions 55 of the two roll-lifting shafts 56 which extend transversely to the axes of the feed rolls and are adapted for oscillatory movement within the base 24.

Both of the roll-lifting shafts 56 are arranged the free ends ofwhich extend into pivotal connection with the forked ends of the connecting link 58.

To permit manual release of the upper feed roll from frictional stock-feeding contact with the stock, as for example during the'initial insertion and adjustment of the stock into proper position in the feed, a manually operable arm 59 is provided which is pivotally mounted on the outer end of a pin 63 secured within the ear 5! formed integrallywith the cap casting 39.

The inner end of the manual release arm 59 carries a rotatable roller 62 which is arranged to ride upon an angularly disposed portion of the link'58 and when the manual release arm 59 is raised, as shown by the broken lines in Fig. l, the roller 62 will exert pressure upon the link 58 to cause it to shift to the right, as viewed in Fig. l, to thereby oscillate the arms 51 and the cam shafts 56. i

The partial rotation of the roll-lifting cam shafts 56 will cause the corners of the recessed portions 55 to raise thebearings 35 so that the upper roll 34 which is supported thereon will be raised or moved upwardly from the lower roll against the pressure of the springs 31 to thereby disengage its contact withthe stock.

To positively lock the upper roll 34 in the described manually raised position, ashallow arcuate recess 63 is provided within the lower end portion of the angular top edge of the link 58 and this recess 63 is adapted to receive therein the roller 62 to thus retain the arm 59 in raised position until such arm 59 is forcibly moved into lowered position.

The automatic roll release operation andthe novel features of construction associated therewith are illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 8 to 27, inclusive. A clamp-like-arm 64 is frictionally or otherwise secured to the end extension of one of the cam shafts 56, as by a tightening nut 65 on the adjustable contact screw 66. r

Formed integrally with the cap casting 39 is a rectangular hollow support 61 which extends outwardly of the side of the feed above the arm 64.

Pivotally mounted on pin 63 of support 61 is a centrally slotted operating arm 69 which carries within its slot a. roller 70 and has a depending end H which is adapted, upon oscillating movement of the operating arm 69, to engage with the end of the screw 66 of the ;ar rn 64 to move roller. :10,.is.a guides roller .12 which is rotatably mounted within theisupportxfilon the. pin 13.

Securely mounted on the; front face of the press a ram; 14- is, a supporting. plate. .15. whichis provided witha pair of spaced integral extensions l6. adaptedto receive...therebetween the release plunger supporting arm. .11 which is.-..pivotally adJusta-bly. supported on the pivot bolt: 18

. extending; through extensions. 16.

The, construction :and. :operation of. the :feed

release mechanism shown particularly in Figs l,

2,13, 4 ands toll, inclusive,--which iS designed to control the feed otthestookmy the feedrolls to the dieson .therdownward stroke ofithe press ram,; may. be, described as follows:

The ieedrelease plunger, generallyindicated by numeral l9, consists of. an exteriorly threaded tubular support 80 formed preferablywith an integral nut-like head 8 t. This threaded tubular support Bflhas threadedengagement with the supporting arm 11 and .is vertically adjustable relatively to the .dies82. and .to. its supporting arm Tl.

A nut 83 is-provided for. securelyretaining the plunger. support 89. in proper vertically adjusted position.

Theplunger I9 is alsobodily laterally adjustable, with its supporting arm lLaboutthe pivot bolt 18. r

The threaded iverticallyadjustable support. 80

includes a companion support 84 in the form.

of anelongated .rod .ofcircular cross-section which supporting rod 84 functions to support on its lower portion, the coacting operative camportions .85. and. 86. ofthe feed release plunger.

Although preferablyshown as separate ele-' ments to facilitate manufacture and .assembly into various lengths (of plungers for difierent feed requirements, it is obvious that the twocamsuppqrting elements 80 and 84 could readily. be made in one piece,

The upper end of the supporting rod 84 is fixed to the nut portion 8| as. by the transverse pin 87. The lower end portion 84 is slightly decreased in diameter toprovide a shoulder. 84 which acts as. an abutment for. the relatively stationary cam 86. The lower end of the rod support is threadedasatti to receive the securing nut 88which, together with the shoulder 84 secures the lower or relatively stationary cam 86 to the lowerend of the rod 8 1.

The'upper cam .85 is slidably mounted on the supporting rod 84. and is movablerelatively to the lower cam186. 7

Both ofthe elongated cams 85 and 86 are preferably of rectangularcross-section and are:pro vided with a circular passage extending therethrough for the rod 34. The opposed ends of the .camstfi and 86 are each provided with an annular recess 89 to. receive the opposite ends of 'a .coil spring 99 which acts to retain the upper cam 85 in normal position spaced fromthe lower cam 86 .and in abutment with the adjustable member 9|.

Theupper movable cam 85 is preferably pro- .v-ided'withia slightly. enlarged upper end portion 85 topermit the provision of an annular recessilfil which is adapted toreceive therein the lower end of a depending tubular: extension 91-? iormed integrally with the Flower faceiof the a e ia le mem er v10 plainei.

; or normally raised position of .the movable. cam

whereby the gap between the -cams=85 and 86. may be adjustablyvaried to-thereby. vary the timeduringwhich the. stock is. fed toIor. through the. sp i es dies, .as. .hereinaftersmore fully ex- The camgap adjusting member .9 I. is adapted to besecured .in .;p roper adjusted positionby .a set screw 92.

The lower cam; 88- is usually positioned inmost operations betweenithe. feed release. .means rollers lilrandalE when the press remand the .dies 82 have reached their uppermost positions and its .cam faces. BE -are maintained vin proper aligned or .face contact with thezfeedirollers 10 and 12 by the securing nut 88.

Obviously; some means must be. provided for maintaining the. cam .faces .85, of the upper movablecam 85, in proper. vertical alignment with the. cam .facesilii of the lower cam 86, and

to accomplish 1this,'I providethe lower. cam. 86

with a pair of upwardly extended arms 85 pref.- erably formed integrally with and at opposite sides of the cam 86; These extended flatarms 86 engage opposite sides of the movable cam 85 and retain it in alignment with therlower cam 86 .so that it cannot rotate about its supporting adapted to control the feed of various desired lengths of stock to the press dies during practically any part of the downward stroke of press ram.

From the above description and attached illustrations it will be apparent that the alignment of the plunger. it with the feed control rollers 10 and i2 is readily attained through the lateral pivotal adjustment of-the. plunger supporting arm 77. v

In most operations, and as herein preferably illustrated in Figs. 11 to 17, inclusive, the uppermost position of the plunger 79 is such that the lower cam 86 is positioned between the feed rollers Ill and i2 and the feed is not feeding the stock S to the pressdies due to partial rotation of the shafts 56, against thepressure of springs 31 upon the upper feed roll bearingsf35, into the rolllifting position illustrated in Fig. 7.

When the lower cam 86,' or. the upper cam 85, is positioned between the rollers. H1 and 12, the feed rolls 30 and 34 are inoperative to feed the strip of. stock S. The feeding of the stock to the press dies occurs only when the plunger is is moved down tosuch extent that the spaced portion between the cams 85 and 86 is positioned between the rollers 10 and 12. I

As soon as the spaced portion between cams 85 and 86 has passed or entered slightly below the horizontal axis of the roller 19, the rollerit will be released from contact with cam 6 and it and its supporting arm 69 will be caused to be moved-toward theplunger by the movement of the arm 64 toward the plungerdueto the pressure of springs 37 against the. bearings 35 of the upper .feed. roll to thereby lower; the upper rotating feed roll 34 into frictional feeding con- -tact.with the stock S. The feeding of the stock S to the press dies will continue until the plunger has moved downwardly to interpose the upper cam 85 between the rollers I8 and I2 whereupon the roller 18 and its supporting arm 69 will be moved away from the plunger to cause the depending end II .of arm 68 to move the arm 64 to partially rotate both of the roll-lifting shafts 55 through the medium of the arms 51 and theirconnecting link 58. The. movement of both of the shafts 56 into roll-lifting position will cause their seats 55 to tilt and raise the upper roll 34 from frictional feeding engagement with the stock S to arrest its movement.

During the continued downward movement of .the upper cam 85 between the rollers I8 and I2, and while the stock S is in stationary position, the dies 82 will perform their operation upon the stock.

The movement of the plunger into stock feeding and die-operating positions is illustrated in Figs. 11, 12 and 13. In Fig. 11 the plunger is shown in its uppermost position just before the press ram and plunger start on their downward movement. The plunger is shown in its descent while in the stock-feeding portion of its cycle of operation, while in Fig. 13 the plunger is shown in its lowermost position with its upper cam interposed between the rollers I8 and I2, and after the dies have performed their work upon the stock.

During the downward movement of the plunger as illustrated by the progressively advanced positions shown in Figs. ll, 12. and 13 above-described, the two cams 85 and 86 are retained in spaced position by the coil spring 98 or, in other words, the upper cam 85 is supported in proper spaced position above the lower cam 86 by the spring 90 and the distance between the as for example, by varying the relative lengths of, cams 85 and 85 and the space between them.

In the plunger under consideration, illustrated in Figs. 8 to 1'7, inclusive, means for varying the length of material fed to the dies, to a predetermined extent, is provided in the adjustable nutlike member 9|. As shown particularly in Fig. 8, the illustrated plunger may be adjusted to feeding a longer piece of stock to the dies by releasing the cap screw 92 and screwing the nutlike member 9| upwardly on the threaded support 80 to thereby increase the length of the gap, or distance, between the opposed ends of the cams 85 and 86. The spring 98 will raise the cam 85 as the member BI is moved upwardly and will retain such cam 85 in the desired raised position, however, the extent of such increase in length of stock fed is limited by the engagement of the threaded support 88 with bottom of the recess 85 Obviously, the member 9| provides means affording precision adjustment of the length of stock fed to the dies in addition to' the adjustment of such stock length provided by the normal distance between the" opposed ends of the cams 85 and 86.

Referring to thereturn or upward stroke oper ation of the press ram and plunger as'illust'rated position.

'in Figs. 14 to 17, inclusive, Fig. 14 shows the plunger in its ascent at. the moment when the lower cam 86has engaged the lower end of the upper cam 85. It will be. noted that while the support TI and plunger-supporting portion have been raised in the initial upwardstroke of thepress ram, the upper cam is still in the same lowermostposition shown in Fig. 13 when the plunger reached its lowermost position on the downward stroke of the press ram. This closing operation of the cam gap is made possible by the-retainment of the upper cam .85 in stationary position by the pressure exerted against it by the roller I8. transmittedfrom the coil springs 31.

In the continued upward movement of the plunger, after the abutment of the lower cam 88 with the upper cam 85, the plunger will continue to be bodily raised with the two cams in closed or abutted position until the abutting ends have passed the horizontal axis of the rollers I0 and I2 whereupon the upper cam-85 will be released for upward movement, by the pressure of coil spring 90, into normal raised position spaced from the lower cam 86. Fig. 15 shows. the plunger in its upward movement with the two cams still in closed position but just prior the slightly advanced position shown in Fig. 16 wherein the abutted cam ends have passed the horizontal axis of the rollers "I0 and I2 to permit release of the upper cam 85 into its normal raised position. Fig. 17 shows a still further advanced upward movement of the plunger prior to its uppermost position shown in Fig. 11 at the beginning of another cycle of operation.

The construction and operation of the feed release mchanism shown particularly in Figs. 18 to 27, inclusive, which is designed to feed the stock to the dies on the upward stroke of the press ram, may be described as follows:

The feed release plunger, generally indicated by numeral 93, consists of an exteriorly threaded tubular support 94 formed preferably with an integral nut-like head 95. This threaded tubular support 94 has threaded engagement with the supporting arm TI and is vertically adjustable relatively to the dies 82 and to its supporting arm 11.

A'nut 96 is provided for securely retaining the plunger support 9A in proper vertically adjusted The plunger 93 is also bodily laterally adjustable, with its supporting arm 11, about the pivot bolt I6. 1

The threaded vertically adjustable support 84 includes a companion support 91 in the form of an elongated rod of circular cross-section which supporting rod 91 functions to support, on its lower portion, the coacting or cooperative camportions 98 and 99 of the feed release plunger.

Although'preferably shown as separate elements to facilitate manufacture and assembly into various lengths of plungers for different feed requirements, it is obvious that the two cam s'u-pporting elements 88 and 99 could readily --be' made in one piece.

supported in the annular recess 98 formed in the enlarged head 98 of the upper cam 98 which is fixed to-the rod 91 by the pin I82. The lower end of the rod support 91 is extended and threaded as at 91 to receive the securing nuts I03 and I04 which adjustably support the lower or relatively movable cam 199;;on the lower endof the rod support 91.

The lower cam 99-is slidablvmountedcon the supporting; rod 91; and ismovable-relatively tothe; upper cam; 98.

Both of theelongatedcams98 and-99. are prefeerably, of rectangular cross-section and are pro.-

vided withza circular. passage extending there through for the rod 91. 'Theopposed or adja cent ends of the cams '98- and 99 areeachvprefew abutment with the .cam gap. adjustment nut 11:03

andits :lock nut I04.

'. The threaded bottom endvof the rods support 91 and the nuts. Band 104- afiorda-vertic'al: ad. justment of the lower movable cam 99 whereby the gap:.between the cams98 and '99 may. be;

adjustably varied tothereby vary'the time during; whichfthe-strip of material Sis fed-to or through the. press dies; as hereinafter more'fully. explained. .The lower cam 99 is'usually positioned inmost operations between the feed rollers '70" and :12

when the'press'ram and the dies82 have reached their uppermost positions.

When the plunger '93 has moved downward to the extent when the lower: cam- 99"has passed beyond the horizontal axis of: the feed release means rollers 10 and 12; some meansmust be provided" for maintaining the cam races-458* of the lower movable cam 89 in proper: vertical alignment-with the cam faces 98* ofthe upper cam 98,-. and-v to accomplish this; I providethe upper cam-98 with a pair of'downwardlyextended arms 98 preferably formed integrally with and at oppositesides of the-cam 98."Theseextended fiat arms 98 engage opposite sides of the movable cam- 99 and retain it in alignment, with the upper cam '98 sothat it cannot rotate about its supporting rod 91, i

It will be noted "that the retaining or -guide arm 98 are narrowerthan*thewidth'of cams between their cam faces so that these arms 98 cannot be engaged by-the feed' control rollers HI and 12.

The above-described type ofplungershownin Figs; 18" to 27 inclusive, isso'designed and so adjustable that it can be readily adapted to control the feed of various olesired lengths of stock to thepress-diesduringpracticallyany part of the upward stroke of press ram. 1

From the above description and attached-illustrations it will be apparent that the'alignmentof the plunger 93 with the feedcontrol rollers 10* and '12is readily attainedthrough the lateralpivotal adjustment of the plunger'supporting arm TI.

In mostoperations, and as hereinpreierably illustrated in Figs. 21to 27; inclusive; theup permost position of the plunger 93 is such that the lower cam 99 is positioned between the=-feed rollers HI andlZ- and the feed is not-feeding the stock S tothe press'dies due to. partial ro-- tation of shafts 56 into the roll-lifting position illustrated in 'Fig. 7.

When the lower cam 99, or the upper cam 9'8. is positioned between the" rollers 30 and it. the feed rolls 3!] and 34' are inoperative to feed; the strip of stock S. The feeding-of the stock to the press dies occurs onlywhen the plunger 93 is moved up to such extent that the-spaced portion between the cams 98 and 99 is positioned between the rollersx'tfl and f2.

'In. the 1 downward stroke" of the .press, theplunger 93. will move downwardly and in such movement. the lower movable cam 99 will be retained. in stationary position between the rollers w. and 72-, dueyto the pressure exerted by the roller,,'l0.-against it, until the upper cam 98 engages-the lower .cam 99 whereupon as the plunger. continues itsdownward movement both of. the camsv 98. and .99 acting .asone. continuous cam, will; continue to, retain. the roller 10 and its. arm 69-. androller-lifting mechanism in the same. position wherein the upper roller 34 isin lifted .position-sorthat the strip-of material S is; maintained in stationary position. The above described-amovement; of the plunger 93 is illustrated in Figs.- 21,. 22; and 23.

. As soonasthe junction between the cams. has

' passed below the horizontal axis of. the. roller ill, the lower cam 99 will be released to drop into its normal-position at rest of the nut 103 but the roller 3m andgitsarmi 69*will be retained in the feed-roller: lifting position. by the upper cam 98; This positionisshown in Fig.241.

It. may here-be stated that in the type of feed control i-llustrated by Figs. 81:0 :17, inclusive, and alsocin the-type illustrated in Figs; 18 t0 27, inclusive, t-he operation of-the dies upon the stock S occurs after-the lower end of the upper cam has passed beyond the horizontaL axis of the roller 10 while the upper cam is still in its downward movement.

--After-the plunger has reached its lowermost position, as for example, the pcsitionillust-rated in- Fig. 25; which is also the lowermost position moveupwardly;

In the upward movement of theplunger; the

upper cam 88 will continue .tomaintain the roller 10 and ,itsassoeiated roll-lifting mechanism in; arrested'feedingposition until the lower end of the-upper cam 98 has passed upwardly beyond the horizontal axis-of the roller- 10 when the roller 10- is permitted to move toward the plunger within .the. :gap portion between the uoperand lower cams.- This position is shown in Fig. 26.

The .feeding movementof the strip of stock S willcontinue during the upward movement ofthe plunger untilthe lower cam 99 a ain engaeesthe roller l l and. moves it and-its arm -69 and associated feed mechanism into roll-lifted position when the movement of the strip ofstock will be arrested and-retained-in stationaryposition while theplunaer moves into its uppermost position.

Obviously; the durationof th -feeding movement ofthe stock,..or:1ength of st k fed. t th dies; as wellasthetimeor starting and sto pin points ofsuch stock-feedine-movement mav be variedand adiustedto the desiredreouirements.

aster. example. by varvine. the relative len ths ment of the plunger, but I prefer to em loy such spring weto insure a positiv and quick downward movement of the lower cam immediately upon itsreiease from the rc1iers1'0and 12.

I clairht' 1.1 In: ama'chine adapted to perform work upon a strip of material red thereto by an automatic feed having movable means thereon for arresting and releasing the feeding movement of-the material; controlmeans operativel'y associated with said machine for controlling 'the operation of said feed arresting and releasing means, said control means including a reciprocating member having a pair of'normally spaced but relatively movable cams thereon adapted to suecessively engage and move said movable means to successively arrest the movement of said material during spaced intervals of time during the movement of said member in one direction and to maintain the arrested-or stationary position of the material upon the movement of one of said cams into contiguous alignment'with the'other cam during the movement of said member in the opposite direction.

2. The control means defined in claim 1 and including said movable feed meanshaving' retaining means for engaging one of said cams'to arrest its movement during a portion of the movement of said reciprocating member in said opposite direction to thereby permit the other one of said cams to be moved with said reciprocating mem her into abutment withsaid' arrested cam toiorm' a combined elongated cam ro'rpeontiguousy engaging said retaining means during thremaiiiing portion of the movement of said reciprocat ing member in said opposit direction thereby retaining said movable feed means in the position for maintaining the stationary positionjof the strip material. f

3. The control means defined in claimland including resilient means ease m reciprocating" member retaining said cams; in relatively spaced position during the movement of said reciprocating member in said one directionand including said movable feed means Having rrietionaimesns for enga ing one of said cams-to arrest its movement against the pressure "of said 'resilintinans and during a portion of the movement ofsaid'reciprocating member in said opposite direction to thereby permit the other oneof said camsto be moved into abutment with said arrested cam to form a combined elongated cam for contiguously engaging said retaining means during theremaining portion" of the movement of said racism-- eating member in said opposite direction there} by retaining said movable feed means in the position for maintaining the stationary position of the strip material. e V a 4. The control means definedin claim rand including means on said member for adiustabl'y varying the normal space between said cams".

5. The control means defined in claim 1 and including screw-threaded means "on said'member for adjustably varying the space between said cams. resilient means on said reciprocatingmem her normally retainingsaid cams in relatively s aced position during the movementof said, reeiprocating member in said one direction, and including said movable feed means, having a pair of relatively movable rollers for frictionally engaging one of said cams to arrest its movement against the pressure of said resilient means during a portion of the movement of said reciprocatingmember in said opposite direction to thereby permit the other one of said cams tobe moved into abutment with said arrested cam to form a combined elongated cam for contiguously engaging said rollers during the remaining portion of the movement of said reciprocating member in said opposite direction thereby retaining said movable feed means in the positionfor maintaining the stationary position of the strip material.

6. Control means for apres having. a reciprocating ram and dies thereon adapted to perform work on a strip of material fed thereto by a roll feed provided with a'pair of continuously rotating rolls for frictionally engaging and feeding the material to said dies and including movable means for releasably separating said feed rolls at predetermined intervals for arresting and releasing the feeding movement oi the material during the continuous rotation of said feed rolls; said control means forcontrolling the feeding movement of the strip of material to said dies including a reciprocatin'gi plunger adapted for reciprocation by the press, said plunger including an. elongated support, a'pair of normally spaced camsmounted on and movable with said support, one ofsaid cams: being-r fixed relatively to said support and the other one or said cams being movable relatively to said support and to said relatively fixed cam, said cams being adapted to successively engage'and'move said movable means to-successively separate said'feed rolls to' thereby successively arrest the movement of said strip of material during the movement of the plunger in one direction,- said feed roll separating means including cam arresting means adapted'to arrest the movement or said movable cam during a portion of the movement of said plunger in said opposite direction to thereby permit the other one of said cams to be" moved into abutment with said arrested cam to form a combined elongated camfor'c'ontiguously slidably engaging said cam-arresting means during the remaining portion of the movement of the plunger in the'oppo'site direction to thereby maintain the arrested oistationary position: of the strip of material during such opposite movement'of the plunger.

'7. The control means defined in claim 6 and including resilient means on said plunger for retaining said movable cam in spaced relation to said fixed cam during the movement of the plunger" in said one direction.

8; The control means defined in claim 1 wherein said reciprocating member includes an elongated rod and wherein one of said cams is slidabl'y mounted on said rod but movable relatively to the other of said cams during the movement of said member in said opposite direction, and ineluding a pair-of spaced extensions" extending from one of said cams to embrace a pair of opposite sides of the other of said cams to thereby retain said slidably mounted cam against rotation on said rod.

cluding adjustable means on said plunger for" varying the normal space between said cams to thereby adjustably vary the fed length of the strip of material.

11. The control means defined in claim 6 and including alaterally adjustable support on said ram for said plunger, and means for adjusting said plunger vertically relatively to said laterally adjustable support;

12. The control means-defined in claim 6 and wherein said ram includes" a laterally adjustable support for said plunger, and including said plunger comprising an elongated exteriorly screw-threaded tubular member in threaded engagement with said laterally adjustable support, a rod extending through and below said tubular member and connected to said tubular member, said rod having a shoulder and a threaded lower end provided with a securing nut, said fixed cam being mounted on said rod and retained against movement relatively to said rod by its engagement at one end with said rod shoulder and at its other end with said nut, said movable cam being slidably mounted on said rod above said fixed cam, a spring coiled about said rod having its ends in abutment with opposed ends of said cams, and extensions on one of said cams extended to embrace the other of said cams to retain said cams in cam-face alignment.

13. The control means defined in claim 6 and wherein said ram includes a laterally adjustable support for said plunger, and including said plunger comprising an elongated exteriorly screw-threaded tubular member in threaded engagement with said laterally adjustable support,

a rod extending through and below said tubular member and connected to said tubular member, said rod having a shoulder and a threaded lower end provided with a securing nut, said fixed cam being mounted on said rod and retained against movement relatively to said rod by its engagement at one end with said rod shoulder and at its other end with said nut, said movable cam being slidably mounted on said rod above said fixed cam, a spring coiled about said rod having its ends in abutment with opposed ends of said cams, extensions on one of said cams extended to embrace the other of said cams to retain said cams in cam-face alignment, and a screwthreaded adjustment, member in threaded engagement with said tubular member for adjustably varying the normal space between said cams.

14. The control means defined in claim 6 and wherein said ram includes a laterally adjustable support for said plunger, and including said plunger comprising an elongated exteriorly screw-threaded tubular member in threaded engagement with said laterally adjustable support, a rod supported within said tubular member and extending below said tubular memberand having its lower end threaded for a nut thereon, said movable cam being supported on said nut and slidable on said rod, said fixed cam being secured to said rod in spaced position above said movable cam, and a pair of spaced extensions on one of said cams extended to embrace the other of said cams to maintain said cams in cam-face alignment.

CHARLES V. ST. LOUIS. 

